PA-A-A-R-R-A-M-M-M-M-PI-I-TA-A BA-A-BA-A -A-KI-I-I-I-I-!!!!
“Parama Puruśa, the Supreme Entity, is vast. Not only is He bigger than the biggest, He is more subtle than the subtlest. Is this Entity close to human beings, or is He far away? One of His names is ‘Viśńu’ which means that entity who remains covert in everything, who is an integral part of even the minutest particle, who lies covert in the entire expressed universe. So an intelligent person endowed with a universal outlook, without entertaining any inferiority or superiority complex, will look upon everything as the manifestation of Parama Puruśa, and strive to move ahead in unison with all.”
Shrii Shrii AnandaMurtiji
To turn people into human beings in the real sense is the burning issue today, the greatest challenge, as virtue is that which helps to expand the mind, by whose assistance the universe increasingly becomes an integral part of oneself. Most of the units celebrated Baba's birthday as the main function of the month. Some units in the region made proper use of the Memorial Day celebration. We report how the region was busy in this month of May.
News from Albany
When one's love is to give pleasure to the Lord and not to enjoy the pleasure for oneself, one's mind gets metamorphosed into the mind of the Lord. Giving pleasure to the Lord was the ultimate goal of the unit in Albany during this month of May, with three Dharma cakras held with an average of five to six attendance. To maintain the spiritual health and spiritual growth of the margiis there were six follow up visits. Richa and Viveka were among the twelve people who attended the Akhanda kiirtan in New Paltz. (Thank you Dada Viveka)
News from New Paltz
By our knowledge, by our action and our sincerity, we will be increasing our meaningfulness from unit to infinite. The most exciting news from New Paltz was the Akhanda Kiirtan and Hiking we had over Memorial Day Weekend. There were about twelve margiis and four acaryas. We enjoyed hiking in Minnewaska State Park followed by dharmacakra and a collective lunch on the mountaintop overlooking a nice glacier lake. In the evening we had akhanda kiirtan. There is a You Tube video. (Thank you brother Sukha Deva)
News from New Haven Unit
It is action that makes a person great. Be great by your sadhan'a, by your service, and by your sacrifice. Different old margiis attend the regular Friday night Dharma cakras. At one we had a visit by Dada Tiirthananada, who inspired us with Baba’s stories. Once a week, we support a local soup kitchen in New Haven by taking the bruised fruits and vegetables from the Edge of the Woods to them.
Thirty middle school students had a tour of the Edge of the Woods, where they learned about healthy eating and vegetarian life style, and tried sentient foods at the store. At the Edge of the Woods, we have been doing some fundraising for Didi Ananda Muktivrata's Machu Pichu Stars project in Peru. On Saturday mornings, we sell some of the items produced by the women with hearing disabilities in Peru. (Thank you Brother Dharmaviira)
News from Boston
One who had made it a mission to attain Parama'tman will assuredly attain Him. You are sa'dhakas, and you should always remember this. Although there is a regular Dharma cakra in Boston, to strengthen the spirit of the unit a mini retreat was organized on Memorial Day, which was attended by Didi Devanistha and Brother Prakash. The mini retreat was very helpful in bringing more dynamics to the group and to understand different aspects of Ananda Marga philosophy. Nineteen people, both old and new, attended the program. Didi Devanistha initiated new seekers and followed up with old. Dada Gunamaya initiated one new brother and followed up with three on the same day. Two asana classes were held, one led by Didi Devanistha for sisters and one lead by Dada Gunamaya for brothers.
News from Vermont
Bad company strengthens the bondage of the soul while good company is conducive to liberation and salvatio n. Good company was observed during the month by the Vermont Unit. The unit cerebrated Baba’s Birthday with a lively kiirtan, feasting and a Baba video. During the month we completed the Intermediate Meditation Class series held in Montpelier. Fourteen individuals participated over the five weeks of the series and gave us very positive feedback. One sister who attended is 89 years old and fully participated in kiirtan and meditation.
Weekly Dharma Cakra continues and has moved to Fayston for the summer. Didi Cirasmita and Pus'pa left Vermont during the last week in May to attend the AMURTEL conference at Sunrise Farm in Ireland. (Thank you sister Pusp'a)
Summer Retreat at Ananda Kanan
The duty of psycho-economics is to wage a tireless struggle against the degenerating and dehumanizing economic trends in Society. Are you going to be there or you will miss it? How many of you are preregistered ? In relation to this, the summer annual gathering at Ananda Kanan is dedicated to the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT) which celebrates 50 years since it was to the world! And the timing couldn’t be better for studying, applying and implementing Prout as the world is experiencing such an economic downturn. Is it the end of Capitalism as we know it? Will limits on accumulation of wealth finally be instituted? Are there now spiritual moralists developing on our planet that can see the bigger picture and know how to create a society that truly cares for the needs of all? We will be exploring these and other issues this summer during several in-depth days on Prout. We will also have a day on Neo-Humanistic Education, one on Master Units (our safety nets in times of economic disaster and political upheaval), and a chance to recharge yourself spiritually – with plenty of kiirtan, meditation, healthy foods and yoga.
“Those who don’t have this feeling and think that Parama Puruśa is far away, may cry themselves hoarse, yet their sobs will not be heard by Him. The actual truth is that the Supreme Entity lies covert in the small “I” feeling of all living creatures. So He is not far from anything; rather, He is the very “I” of each and every microcosm. With this idea or feeling in mind, spiritual aspirants should start their spiritual practice. To be ensconced in this supreme idea is the culminating point of all sadhana.”
Shrii Shrii Ananda Murtiji
Brotherly,
Dada Gunamaya
R.S. Boston
A'sana means 'a position in which one feels comfortable' - 'Sthirasukhama'sanam.' A'sanas are a kind of exercise by regular practice of which the body stays healthy and hardy and many diseases are cured. But A'sanas are not prescribed for the general cure of decease; only those diseases which create trouble in the path of meditation may be cured by the help of specific A'sanas, so that Sa'dhana' (meditation) may more easily be done.
(Caryacarya part 3)Below you find two of three basic A'sana for women, they do not have restrictions of nostrils or diet (like all the other A'sanas have).
Yoga'sana or Yogamudra:
(Caryacarya 3, Asanas # 26)
Sit in Bhojana'sana ("food" a'sana: with legs crossed). Pass both hands backward and grip the left wrist with the right hand. Then bring the forehead and the nose into contact with the floor, breathing out during the process. Maintain this state for eight seconds and then rise up, breathing in. Practice eight times.
YogamudraBhu'jaunga'sana (Cobra)
(Caryacarya 3, Asanas # 20)
Lie down on your chest. Supporting the weight on the palms, raise the chest, directing your head backward. Look at the ceiling. Breathe in while rising, and after having risen, hold your breath for eight seconds. Come down to original position while breating out. Practise eight times.
Bhu'jaunga'sana (Cobra)
About a Sentient or Sa'ttvika Diet:
In every object of the universe, one of three attributes - Sattva (sentient), Rajah (mutative), and Tamah (static) - will always be predominant. So food is also divided into three categories according to the dominance of the attributes.
1) Sa'ttvika A'ha'ra (food): All foods that are beneficial to both body and mind are considered Sa'ttvika.
This group of foods includes fruits, most vegetables, beans and nuts, grains, milk and milk products, and moderate amounts of most herbs and spices. The sentient diet provides a wide variety of nutrients supplying proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and all the essential vitamins and minerals. A Sa'ttvika diet is required for those who practice A'sanas.
2) Ra'jasika A'ha'ra: Any food that is beneficial to the body but is neutral to the mind, or vice versa, is called Ra'jasika. In certain countries where there is heavy snowfall, Ra'jasika food can be treated as Sa'ttvika and Ta'masika food as Ra'jasika.
Included in this category are: caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea, chocolate, hot spices such as red peppers, fermented foods, and some medicinal drugs. 3) Ta'masika A'ha'ra: All kinds of foods which are harmful to either the body or mind and may or may not be harmful to the other are called Ta'masika.The static foods include meat, fish, onion, garlic, eggs, mushrooms, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, food that is fermented, stale or spoiled and the milk of the newly calved cow . These foods should be avoided by those who seek to attain health of body and elevation of mind.
Vegetable Chop Suey
Serves 6 1/2 C Carrots, diced small
1/2 C Celery, diced finely
2 - 3 shredded Chinese Cabbage or Bok Choy
1/2 C Sugar Snap Peas or other fresh or frozen Beans
1/2 C Green or Red Peppers, shopped
1 small can Bamboo Shoots
1 C Bean Sprouts
1/4 C Cashew or chopped Brazil Nuts
1 Can Baby Corn Spears
About 1/2 C Oil (for stir-frying)Any soft or firm vegetables (but not starchy) can be used in chop suey, e.g. string beans, peas, etc. (Be careful with leafy vegetables, as they burn easily.) The recipe below is only one example. Leftover cooked beans can also be added. The mixture should be very colorful. Marinate vegetables for at least an hour before cooking. Stir-fry vegetables quickly in hot oil, preferably using a wok (Chinese round-bottomed frying pan). Use an oil that can heat to high temperatures without chemical change (peanut or sesame oil). Use plenty of oil to prevent burning (allow oil to be at least 1 inch deep in the deepest part of the wok). Fry hard vegetables for 5 to 6 minutes, then add softer vegetables like fresh beans, bell peppers, and Chinese cabbage or bok choy, and fry 3 minutes more, adding the bean sprouts and the nuts only 1/2 minute before the end. Sprinkle with soy sauce and serve with rice or noodles, and tofu dishes. Save the marinade to use as a dip.
(From Vegetarian Food For All by Annabel Perkins)
Try more Delicious Recipes in:
Vijay's Sentient Kitchen
